Iran warns US of full-force response amid diplomacy push

A dual-track message from Tehran

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has signalled that Tehran is willing to pursue diplomacy with the United States, while keeping its military posture on high alert. In a televised address reported on Sunday, he framed Iran’s position as one of negotiating strength after what he described as a battlefield victory. But he paired that message with a clear warning that any escalation by adversaries would be met with force.

Ghalibaf’s remarks reflect the sharpened rhetoric coming out of Tehran as tensions remain elevated across West Asia. Alongside talk of negotiations, Iranian officials have repeatedly stressed readiness to retaliate if Iranian interests, assets, or infrastructure are attacked. The combination of diplomatic signalling and military deterrence has also coincided with disruptions to shipping routes and heightened concerns around energy security.

Ghalibaf’s televised warning to the US

In his address, Ghalibaf said Iran remained prepared for negotiations, but not at the expense of military readiness. He warned that even a small miscalculation would trigger a strong response.

“We are fully prepared - if they make the slightest mistake, we will respond with full force,” he said, adding that Iranian forces remain combat-ready. He also argued that Iran’s adversaries were making what he called strategic miscalculations, saying they were wrong both about the Iranian people and about military plans.

The statements were delivered against the backdrop of what the reports described as fragile ceasefire efforts. While Tehran is publicly keeping the door open to diplomacy, the messaging from senior officials underlines that deterrence remains central to Iran’s posture.

Messaging on diplomacy “from a position of strength”

Ghalibaf’s claim that Iran had prevailed on the battlefield was used to frame diplomacy as a choice rather than a concession. The speaker said Tehran was ready for negotiations, but implied that talks would proceed on Iranian terms, backed by military readiness.

That framing has become common in official Iranian communication during crises, where public outreach is often paired with warnings against further pressure. In this case, the public emphasis on being “prepared” suggests Tehran wants to deter additional escalation while maintaining diplomatic channels.

The report did not detail the specific negotiation format referenced by Ghalibaf. But the broader set of updates in circulation points to indirect contacts and parallel diplomatic efforts continuing in the background.

Maritime pressure and threats to global trade routes

A key driver of the latest escalation is the maritime situation. Iran has warned that it could block major waterways if a reported US naval blockade continues. The routes cited include the Red Sea, the Gulf, and the Sea of Oman.

According to the report, Tehran has said any restriction on its oil tankers and commercial vessels could trigger a ceasefire violation and raise tensions. It also said the US had already halted maritime trade to and from Iran, forcing ships to turn back. The situation, as described, has fuelled fears of a wider disruption to trade and energy flows.

In a related warning, an Iranian commander was quoted as saying that if the naval blockade continues, no exports or imports from the Persian Gulf, Sea of Oman and Red Sea would be allowed.

Hardline statements expand beyond one official

Ghalibaf’s warning is part of a wider set of statements by Iranian officials and leaders. In separate remarks reported elsewhere, he warned that hostile action would be met with strong retaliation, and said a ground invasion would face a “relentless” and “decisive” response.

In a post on X dated March 30, 2026, Ghalibaf accused adversaries of spreading misinformation while threatening Iran, calling it a “big mistake.” He wrote that if Iran is hit once, it would respond multiple times over.

Other Iranian officials also issued stark warnings. Iran’s Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref was quoted as saying that the US could decide to send troops, but “when it comes to bringing them back, the decision is no longer his,” adding “no one returns home from hell.”

US build-up reports and indirect talks narrative

The reports also referred to a US military build-up in the region, including the deployment of thousands of Marines aboard the USS Tripoli. The US side, as cited, has also signalled consequences if key demands are not met, even while talking about progress in discussions.

US President Donald Trump was quoted in one report as saying indirect negotiations with Iran through Pakistani intermediaries were making “positive progress,” while declining to provide details. Separately, it was reported that the two sides were set to hold indirect talks in Geneva on Iran’s nuclear programme, with a senior US official confirming envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would meet an Iranian delegation on Thursday.

The same set of updates also noted a second round of indirect talks in Switzerland the prior week under Omani mediation.

India-linked developments and regional spillover risk

The escalation has had knock-on effects for countries with nationals in Iran. The Government of India issued a travel advisory urging Indian citizens in Iran to leave immediately by available means of transport, including commercial flights, citing security concerns. India’s foreign ministry was cited as estimating there are usually around 10,000 Indian citizens in Iran.

Iran’s Ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, also warned against attacks on Iranian infrastructure, saying a wider conflict could spiral beyond control. He cautioned that targeting infrastructure should be avoided and said past mistakes should be remembered, aligning his remarks with Tehran’s broader emphasis that attacks on strategic assets, particularly in the energy sector, could trigger severe retaliation.

Market impact: energy security and shipping risk

While the reports do not quantify price moves, they repeatedly point to the risk channel markets watch most closely during West Asia crises: shipping lanes and energy infrastructure. The warning about blocking the Red Sea, the Gulf, and the Sea of Oman, combined with claims that trade to and from Iran has been halted, reflects the potential for wider disruption in maritime logistics.

The Strait of Hormuz features prominently in related reporting, including warnings about reopening access and references to restrictions. With the region central to global oil flows, the stated threats and counter-threats elevate the risk premium investors typically associate with energy security and freight routes.

For India, the immediate operational impact described is consular and safety-focused, reflected in the travel advisory and guidance for nationals to remain in contact with the Indian Embassy in Tehran.

Key facts and recent timeline

What to watch next

Multiple tracks are moving at once: public military warnings, maritime signalling, and indirect diplomatic engagement. Reports point to planned meetings in Geneva and ongoing indirect formats, including prior rounds under Omani mediation and backchannel contacts via Pakistan.

At the same time, statements from Iranian officials suggest that strikes on infrastructure or restrictions on shipping are viewed as red lines that could trigger retaliation. Separately, travel advisories and evacuations by different governments indicate how quickly the security environment could shift.

Conclusion

Iran’s leadership is projecting readiness for diplomacy while issuing repeated warnings that any escalation would be met with decisive force. The maritime dimension, including threats to key waterways and reported trade disruptions, has kept global energy and shipping concerns in focus. The next clear milestone, as reported, is the expected continuation of indirect talks, even as deterrence messaging remains intense on all sides.